Well it happened. Kyle and Lindsay got married! The past few weeks have been filled with excitement and anticipation for the big event. Cheryl and I returned to Oregon on September 1 to spend time with the family and help with any final preparations for the big day. The flight back was OK, though I will say we have been spoiled flying in business class. Sounds pretty pretentious coming from a couple who recently sold their 1998 Purple Dodge Stratus. Once seated in our cramped seats in coach, the excitement grew as we watched person after person walk by us without sitting in an extra seat next to Cheryl. Then it happened. We heard the attendant say “we have closed the cabin door.” YES! We won the seat lottery! Spread out and enjoy the long flight back to Oregon
Though Jenna, Kyle, Lindsay and the rest of the planning team had done a lot of work prior to our arrival, there were many errands to run during the week and much beer to drink as we made time to visit family and friends. The Dossier Hotel provided free beer from 5:30 to 6:30 pm each night so Cheryl and I even made some new friends there.
On Thursday the events kicked into gear with the rehearsal dinner on Jenna’s apartment terrace catered by Crown Piaya. Delicious food, of course more beer, and a few fun stories about the bride and groom really set the stage for the eventful weekend left to come (most notably morning headaches). On Friday we all grabbed a coffee and aspirin and headed to Hood River for the 9 am rehearsal at the beautiful wedding location (Mt Orchard). Yes 9 am! I had not visited Mt Orchard since Kyle and Lindsay reserved the space nearly a year ago and had forgotten how amazing it was with fruit trees surrounding the venue and Mt Hood as the backdrop. Breathtaking. Everyone then met at Waterfront Park on the Columbia River for more beer and a wonderful BBQ. Lindsay’s family and friends from Boston were there and it was so nice to meet them all.
Then came Saturday. What a wonderful day! Family and friends all gathered in one place to celebrate Kyle and Lindsay. I have been to more weddings than I can count but it sure is different when it’s one of your kids. Needless to say, it was emotional and there were a few tears (didn’t see that coming!) as I had the honor of walking with Jenna down the aisle to met Kyle at the altar. A moment I will never forget. Congratulations Kyle and Lindsay. September 8, 2018. #winklerwedding2018
Though the wedding was the big news since the last entry, there have been a few other happenings. Cheryl and I took a 2 day Netherlands Culture training class. I know what you’re thinking….. Chris and culture is an oxymoron but Nike is doing their best to help me grow into being a man of the world (don’t laugh!). We learned Dutch history, food traditions and societal norms. It explained why I’ve received a lot of the funny looks since I’ve been here. 
We also continued our exploration of the Netherlands and spent a weekend on Texel island. Texel is an island with a population of 13,641 in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands. It is a beautiful area that you must travel by ferry to get to. It is a quiet place with lots of sheep and farmland and the home of Texel Brewery. Funny how we quickly found that. We stayed in the small marine town of Den Helder in a fun hotel called Lands End. Of course I had to take advantage of the complementary robes to make the walk to the hot tub both comfortable and very stylish!
Finally, Cheryl and I began to receive visitors for the states this past month! My sister Corinne and her fiancee Wilson, were our first official visitors. They ended their 1000 kilometer bike trek across northern Europe in Amsterdam and we spent a few days walking the city (they didn’t feel much like riding bikes). We then had Devin Brown and his girlfriend Olivia stop by for, yep, more beer and then Dee Rumburg and her sister Cindy also completed a bike tour around the Netherlands and stopped by for a few days prior to heading home. So great to see familiar faces from the good ol USA. Remember everyone, we have a spare bedroom! Now that the wedding is complete, Cheryl and I will be in Amsterdam for the foreseeable future and time for us to get back on the road. Next stop? Istanbul Turkey!
Until then.......
